Drill stem drive device



Oct. 14, 1941.

A. J. HODGE DRILL STEM DRIVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1940 4 Shee ts-Sheet l Oct. 14, 1941. A. J. HODGE 2,259,224

DRILL STEM DRIVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 14, HODGE DRILL STEM DRIVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 14, 1941. A. J. HODGE DRILL STEM DRIVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 14, 1941 DRILL STEM DRIVE DEVICE Arthur J. Hodge, Lomita, Calii'., assignor to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa... a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 22, 1940, Serial No. 314,971

13 Claims.

This invention relates to rotary drilling apparatus of the type employed in the drilling of wells and is more particularly directed to an improvement in such apparatus, particularly in the devices utilized for driving the drill stem from the rotary machine.

In the rotary drilling of wells, the drill stem is secured to the drill pipe which carries the drilling bit at its lower end. The rotary motion is transmitted to the drilling bit from the drill stem through the drill pipe and from the driven rotary machine located in the drilling derrick at the surface of the ground.

During actual drilling operations, with the exception of the relatively small weight imposed upon the bit, the entire weight of the drill stem pipe and drilling bit is supported by a wire line reeved between a crown block, traveling block and a hoist.

It has been found that during actual drilling operations that the drill stem oscillates vertically through the rotary machine and the driving element interposed between the rotary machine and the drill stem. The resilient nature of the wire line and the flexibility of the drill pipe are undoubtedly contributing causes of this vertical oscillatory motion. This vertical oscillation or reciprocation of the drill stem through the driving connection from the rotary machine has a very destructive effect upon this driving element or drive bushing, as it is termed.

It has also been found that the drive bushings reciprocate with the drill stem resulting in destructive wear of their driving surfaces to such an extent that the driving connection between the driving bushings and the rotary table is destroyed or lessened in its driving efliciency. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a drill stem drive device in which provision is made to prevent relative reciprocation of the drive bushing and the rotary table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drill stem drive device in which provision is made to permit the driving member to reciprocate with the drill stem and independently of the driving connection from the rotary table to the drill stem drive device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drill stem drive device in which there is incorporated a preloaded spring arranged to oppose reciprocating movement of the driving device in either direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide Another object of this invention is to provide a drill stem drive device provided with means.

for aligning the same with the rotary table prior to final engagement of the driving elements between the drive device and the rotary table.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from the hereinafter contained description of the preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation mainly in vertical midsection of a drill stem drive device embodying my invention illustrating the same as mounted in a fragment of a rotary machine, also shown substantially in vertical midsection.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure l. I c

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1.

35 Figure 6 is an elevation partly in vertical midsection of another'modifled form of drill stem drive device embodying my invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

40 In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures-1 to 5, inclusive, the rotary machine is indicated at I as including a table 2 mounted upon bearings 3 carried by a base 4. The table 2 has 9. depending annular skirt 5 45 which carries an upthrust bearing 6 which serves to prevent upward movement of the table 2 relative to the base 4. The table 2 carries a ring gear 1 adapted to mesh with a pinion 8 mounted upon a pinion shaft 9. The pinion shaft 9 is driven by a sprocket Ill. Mounted within the skirt 5 is a master bushing ll through which the usual drill stem i2 is extended.

The drive device of my invention is adapted to form a driving connection between the table a drill stem drive device in which there is incor- 2 and the drill stem I2. As the rotary table 2 is driven, the drill stem is driven through this drive device. The drive device consists of a body I3 which constitutes a driving member and a driven member l4 which is connected in driving relation with the driving member 13 through the medium of a spline connection 45, 46.

The body I3 is supported in this embodiment of my invention upon the table 2 through the medium of a supporting flange Interposed between the flange l1 and the table 2 is a supporting disc it which supports the driven member H. The driven member [4 is supported on the disc 13 by means of a plurality of springs carried on bolts l9 which extend upwardly from, and are secured to, the disc l8. member l3 and the disc l8 are releasably connected in driving relation with the rotary table 2 by means of the driving pins 20. The driving pins are tapered at their upper portion as indicated at 2| and the tapered shoulder thus provided receives correspondingly tapered bores of the flange I1 and the disc l8 in order to secure these members together. The drive pins 20 below. the disc l8 are received within bushings 22 pressed into driving recesses formed in the rotary table 2.

The driving bushings are normally carried in the driving recesses formed in the table 2 and are releasably connected with the drive pins 20.

-- In order to accomplish this releasable connection. there is provided corresponding grooves 23 and 24 on the driving pins 20 and bushings 22 between which there is fitted a snap ring 25. The upper extremity of the groove 24 istapered as indicated at 26 sufliciently to compress the snap ring when the driving device of my invention is raised from the rotary table by the raising of the drill stem l2 with the strikingof the-shoulder 21 against the lower end abutment member 28. The upper end of the bore oi. the drive bushings 22 is chamfered as indicated at 23 to permit easy entry of the snap ring 25 into the bore of the drive bushings 22.

The snap rings exert a sufiicient holding pressure between the drive pins 20 and the bushings 22 so that the normal oscillating movement of the drill stem I2 is insuflicient to displace the drive pins 23 from the bores of the bushings 22.

In order to locate the drive device of my invention to the rotary table 2 so that the drive pins 20 will align with the bores of the bushings 22, there is provided an aligning flange 30 extending downward from the supporting disc l8 corresponding in non-circular configuration with the non-circular opening 3i or the rotary table 2. The flange 30 extends below the lower ends of the drive pins 20 so that when the driving device of my invention is lowered into position for connection with the rotary table 2, the lower end of the flange 30 may be dropped into the opening ll of the rotary table. This action automatically aligns the drive pins 20 with the openings in the bushings 22 so that further lowering movement of the driving device drops the drive pins 20 into driving position. The fit between the bushings 22 and the drive pins 20 is considerably tighter than the relatively loose fit between the flange 33 and the opening 3i so that the drive pins normally carry all the driving load without assistance irom the flange 30.

Means are provided for supporting the driven member or sleeve l4 upon the disc I8 so as to permit of limited vertical oscillation with the drill stem l2. This means as herein illustrated includes the supporting bolts 19 having support- The drivin ing shoulders 32 upon which supporting washers 33 are positioned. Supported upon the washers 33 are the annular compression springs 34 and 35. .The opposite ends of these springs 34 and 3E engage similar washers 36 carried by the bolts [9. Nuts 31 are threaded upon the bolts I! to confine the springs 34 and between the washers 33 and 36. By means of the nuts 31. the springs 34 and 35 are "preloaded to provide an initial resistance to the oscillation of the driver or sleeve l4.

The driver I4 is formed to provide an annular housing 38 to house the springs and 33. The upper end 39 of this housing rests upon the upper washers 33. Circular openings 43 are provided in this upper wall 38 of sufficient size to provide clearance around the nuts 31. At the lower end the driver I4 is engaged with the washer. 33 by means of a removable stop flange 4| which is removably threaded upon the driver. This stop flange is also provided. with openings ,42 for the enlarged sections of the bolts 13 and of a sumcient size to provide for clearance around these enlarged sections. The construction as thus described permits of limited oscillatory motion or vibration with the driver 14 with reference to the driven member I3.

In this assembly, downward movement of the driver member I4 is resiliently opposed by the springs 34 and 35 as the end wall 33 moves the washer 36 downward upon the .bolts l3. Downward movement is limited by the stop flange 4| striking the stop shoulder 43. Similarly upward movement of the member i4 is resiliently opposed by the springs 34 and 35 as the. flange 4| moves the washer 33 along the bolts 13. Upward movement is limited by engagement of the shoulders 44.

Means are provided for connecting the members l3 and I4 in driven and driving relation. which means are illustrated as lncludingthe complementary splines 45 and 46 having the external and internal teeth respectively carried by the members l3 and i4. The teeth 01 the spline 46 are longer than the teeth 01 the spline in order that a full driving contact may bemaintained when the driver i4 moves up and down from its neutral position.

Relationship of the support for the member i4 and the driving connection between the members l3 and I4 is such as to permit of a limited iniversal movement between these memb rs 8.5..348-3' be required to accommodatethe misalignment of the drill stem l2 with the opening through the rotary table 2. Thus the arrangement is such that the driver l4 may have-universal swiveling movement about a point on i'ts axis. This ability of the driver l4 to so move allows the drill stem l2 to hang slightly out of vertical in any direction without increasing the load ,on 'the table bearings 3 and thereby contributes easy feeding of the drill stem l2 longitudinally through the driver l4. In order to permit of this movement, the shape and clearancebetween the splined teeth 3| and .32 are such as 'to permit this swiveling movement without interference.

As illustratedv in Figure 2, the splined teeth are formed with clearance both radially and between their driving faces. The springs 34 and 35 and the spline elements 45 and -46, together with the annular seal 41, provided between the cover member 48 and the member are all mounted concentrically so that each may be. bisected by a horizontal plane containing the center ani al of swiveling movement of the driver I 4 and therefore the radial displacement of the various parts incident to tilting oi the driver I4 is maintained at a minimum. The lower seal 48 between the disc I8 and the driver I4 is a yieldable sealing element designed to accommodate the relative radial displacement occurring at this position.

The cover 48 is secured to the driver I4 and overlaps the upwardly extending portion of the member I4 in order to provide an enclosure operative in connection with the seals 41 and 49 to maintain lubricant within and to prevent the admission of foreign matter into driving connection provided by the teeth of the splines 45 and 48 and for the proper operation of the reciprocating connection provided between the member I4 and the disc I8.

In order to admit lubricant into the interior of this enclosure, the cover 48 is provided with a removable cap 58 through which lubricant may be admitted. The lubricant is maintained in contact with the teeth of the splines 45 and 48 by the centrifugal action resulting from the rotation of the rotary table 2.

In order to permit the drill stem I 2 to be inserted longitudinally through the driver I4, the same is preferably made of a sufllciently large bore to accommodate collars of the drill stem I2. There is then provided on the interior bore of the driver I4 8. split driver liner 52 which is of configuration corresponding to the configuration oi the drill stem II. This split liner is removably held in position by means of the upper and lower split abutment rings 53 and 28.

Positioned within the interior of the driver I4 are resilient sealing means 54 and 55 likewise of split construction to exclude foreign matter from, and to confine lubricant within, the bore of the driver I4. This lubricant is admitted by means of a suitable pressure fitting 58 operating in con- Junction with the lubricant passage 51 formed in the driver I4. The split abutment element 28 at the lower end of the bore of the driver I4 is maintained against displacement by means of a snap ring 58. The snap ring 58 is a split spring ring and is adapted to be positioned within the corresponding grooves 59 and 80 of the abutment member 28 and driver I4, respectively. A set screw SI is provided for contracting this split ring when it is desired to release the abutment member 28 from the member I4. A similar snap ring 62 is provided at the upper end of the driver I4 for releasabiy connecting the abutment ring 53. This split ring is interposed between corresponding grooves and is adapted to be contracted by means of a set screw 63 when it is desired to remove the abutment ring 53.

Referring to the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, similar parts are indicated by the same numeral with the addition of an exponent "a thereto.

The principal distinction between these forms of my invention is that in the forms illustrated in Figures 6 and '7, the drive device is supported upon the base 4a of the rotary machine independently of the table 2a. The drill stem 12a is therefore guided in alignment with respect to the opening through the stationary base 4a and the table bearings 3a are relieved of the guiding function. In this form of my invention an annular ring III is secured to the base 4a and overlaps a portion of the table 2a. A frusto-conical supporting structure II rests upon, and is supported by, the ring III and carries a self-aligning roller bearing I2 near its upper end. The guiding device is supported on this roller bearing 12, the bearing I2 being interposed between the body Ila and the irusto-conical supporting member I I. The body Ila has a depending portion 13 which is adapted to fit within the non-circular opening Ila in the table 2a forming a driving connection.

The driver I4a is supported upon and driven from the upper end of the body I3a in the same manner as that described in detail in connection with the previously described modification of this invention.

Carried by the ring I0 is a latch means for retaining the frusto-conical element II in position. These latch elements consist of latch plungers I5 mounted in cylinders I4. Springs I6 are interposed between the cylinders 14 and the plungers I5 in order to yieldably urge the plungers 15 into latching position. Each plunger has a frusto-conical latching section 11 adapted to engage a corresponding surface on the member I I The degree of taper of the irusto-conical section 11 is such that the supporting structure 'II is held against displacement due to reciprocation of the driver I'4a. 0n the other hand, this degree of taper is such as to permit displacement of the supporting structure II under the relatively greater force acting when the shoulder 21a. engages the abutment piece 28a of the driver I ia.

A stop I8 on the plunger rod 19 prevents overtravel of the plunger 15 when the supporting structure II is removed. when the supporting structure II is returned to operative position, the

beveled surface automatically pushes the plunger I5 back into the cylinders 14 so that the supporting structure II may rest upon the annular ring I8.

Handles 8| are provided on the piston rod IS in case manual manipulation of the plunger I5 is found necessary or desirable for any reason.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not Wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for rotating a drill stem, comprising in combination a driver member through which the drill stem may have axial movement when drilling, said driver member encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary movement thereto, a body member encircling a portion of said driver member, means whereby said body member may be rotated, resilient means adapted to support said driver member on said body member, cooperating drive splines on said members adapted to form a nonrotatable driving connection whereby the body member may rotate the driver member, said drive splines being parallel to the axis of the drill stem and adapted to accommodate axial reciprocation of the driver member.

2. A device for rotating a drill stem, comprising in combination a driver member through which the drill stem may have axial movement when drilling, said driver member encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary movement thereto, a body member encircling a portion of said driver member, means whereby said body member may be rotated, cooperating drive elements on said members adapted to form a non-rotatable driving connection whereby the body member may rotate the driver member, said drive elements being adapted to accommodate relative axial movement of the members, means for supporting the driver member on the body member, said means including a spring operatively interposed between said members and acting to resist relative movement of the members in either direction.

3. A device for rotating a drill stem, comprising in combination a sleeve member having a noncircular opening axially therethrough forming a slidable but non-rotatable connection with the drill stem, a body member encircling a portion of said sleeve member, means whereby said body member may be rotated, drive means including interengaging teeth on said members whereby the body member may rotate the sleeve member, said interengaging teeth being parallel with the axis of rotation, and said drive means being adapted to permit limited axial reciprocation of the sleeve member relative to the body member.

4. A device for rotating a drill stem, comprising in combination a sleeve member having a noncircular opening axially therethrough forming a slidable but non-rotatable connection with the drill stem, a body member encircling a portion of said sleeve member, means whereby said body member may be rotated, resilient means adapted to support said sleeve member on said body member, drive means including interengaging teeth on said members whereby the body member may rotate the sleeve member, said drive means being adapted to permit limited axial reciprocation of the sleeve member relative to the body member.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a driver member adapted to rotate a drill stem, a body member encircling a portion of the driver member, cooperating spline elements on said members adapted to form a driving connection whereby the body member may rotate the driver member,-said spline elements being adapted to accommodate relative movement of the members axially of said spline elements, resilient means operatlvely interposed between said members and adapted to resist relative movement of the members in either direction, said means including a compression spring confined between end elements which are separated by a distance less than the normal free length of the spring.

6. In a device for rotating a drill stem, the combination of a driver through which the drill stem may have axial movement, said driver encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary motion thereto, a body, a spline driving connection between said driver and body comprising a series of external teeth on the driver meshing with a series of internal teeth on the body, said spline driving connection being adapted to permit axial reciprocation of the driver within certain limits relative to the body, resilient means interposed between said body and driver and adapted to oppose movement of the driver in either direction, said resilient means including a compression spring confined between end elements which are separated by a distance less than the normal free length of the spring, the central plane of said spline connection lying intermediate the planes of said end elements.

7. A rotary machine for rotating a drill stem, having a base and a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a driver member through which, the drill stem may have axial movement. said driver member encircling a portion of the drfll stem and adapted to transmit rotary motion thereto, means driven by the table adapted to rotate said drive member, means for supporting said driver member independently of the table, said supporting means being adapted to permit universal swiveling movement within cer-' tain limits of the driver member relative to said table.

8. A rotary machine for rotating a drill stem, having a base and a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a driver member through which the drill stem may have axial movement, said driver member encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary motion thereto, a body member associated with the driver member, means carried'on said base adapted to support said body member, 00-

operating parts forming a driving connection between the table and the body member, interengaging drive elements on said members whereby the body member may rotate the driver member, said drive elements being adapted to permit the driver member to have universal swiveling movement within certain limits relative to said body member.

9. A rotary machine for rotating a drill stem, having a base and a table rotatably mounted on the base, in combination with a driver member through which the drill stem may have axial movement, said driver member encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary motion thereto, a body member associated with the driver member, means independent of the table adapted to support said body member, cooperating parts forming a driving connection between the table and the body member, interengaging drive elements on said members whereby the body member may rotate the driver member, said drive elements being adapted to permit the driver member to have universal swiveling movement within certain limits relative to said body member.

10. In a device for rotating a drill stem, the combination of a driver member through which the drill stem may have axial movement when drilling, said driver member encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary motion thereto, a body member associated with said driver member, meanstorming a driving connection between said members and adapted to permit both relative axial movement and relative universal swiveling movement of said members, and resilient means acting to maintain said members at a position between the extreme end positions of their relative axial movement.

11. In a device forrotating a drill stem, the combination of a driver member through which the drill stem may have axial movement, said driver member encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary motion thereto, a body member associated with said driver member, cooperating drive elements forming a positive driving connection between said members and adapted to permit both relative axial movement and relative universal swiveling movement of said members, and resilient means acting to oppose both of said movements permitted by said driving connection.

12. In a device for rotating a drill stem, the combination 01' a driver through which the drill stem may have axial movement, said driver encircling a portion of the drill stem and adapted to transmit rotary motion thereto, a body adapted to support said driver, a spline driving connection between said body and driver comprising a series of external teeth on the driver meshing with a series of internal teeth on the body, the shape of said teeth and the clearance between them being such as to permit both axial movement and universal swiveling movement of the driver relative to the body.

13. In a device for rotating a drill stem, the combination of a driver through which the drill stem may have axial movement, said driver encircling a portion 01' the drill stem and adapted,

to transmit rotary motion thereto, a body adapted to support said driver, a spline driving connection between said driver and body comprising a series of external teeth on the driver meshing with a series of internal teeth on the body, the

.shape oi said teeth andthe clearance between 10 them being such as to permit both axial movement and universal swiveling movement of the,

spring.

ARTHUR HODGE. 

